Kewpies think this might be the year for breakthrough

The Hickman softball team returns all but two starters from last year's 18-9 squad that fell for the second straight year to Jefferson City in the district championship game.

So is this the year the Kewpies finally push past the Jays and into the postseason?

Hickman Coach Courtney Haskell isn't saying, but she sure is hoping.

"The core of my team has been playing since they were freshmen, so we'll see how it goes," Haskell said. "It's their last year."

Seniors Taylor Cowan, Whitney Grathwohl, Laura Miller and Katlyn Britt are all entering their fourth and final seasons as starters for the Kewpies. Senior third baseman Shelby Leyden has started since joining the team as a sophomore. With her senior leaders facing one last shot at the postseason, Haskell has noticed a sense of urgency among the talented group.

"We've had really good practices," Haskell said. "They've been focused. They've been on a mission."

Cowan's business for the past three years has been keeping the Kewpies in virtually every game she pitches. Regarded as one of the top hurlers in the state, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 225 last year with a 1.53 ERA to improve her career mark to 45-27.

Cowan also added a team-high .402 batting average with 24 RBI to join Miller and catcher Katherine Steponovich as all-district choices. Steponovich is back for her senior year after batting .375 with a .569 slugging percentage. Miller batted .361 as the Kewpies shortstop, but the versatile athlete is moving to right field this season.

Miller played short last year in place of Taylor Anliker, who missed most of the season with a broken bone on her glove hand. Anliker is healthy this year and should bolster an experienced infield that includes Leyden, Grathwohl at second and junior first baseman Amy Johanning. Grathwohl can be a spark at the top of the batting order with her speed and Johanning, who played primarily in the outfield last year, is a left-hander that can eat up some innings in the circle.

Joining Miller in the outfield will be Britt in center and junior transfer Kelsey Bedsworth in left. Junior Emily Welch offers depth in the outfield, and flexible freshmen Paige Nelson and Andrea Drake are making a case for playing time.

Hickman opens its season tomorrow at Westran.

Reach Rus Baer at (573) 815-1787 or rbaer@tribmail.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.